Set and apply default transitions

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

Learn how to use the default transitions to add consistent and professional-looking effects to your edits.

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Follow along with any project to learn how to set and apply default transitions.

Cross Dissolve and Constant Power Crossfade are the default video and audio transitions. In the Effects panel, a blue outline marks the default transition icon.

If you use another transition more frequently, you can set it as the default. When you change the default transition setting, you change the default for all projects. Changing the default transition doesn’t affect transitions already applied to sequences.

Set a default transition

Before you begin

Create a project and add clips to the timeline.

Select Window > Effects and expand the Video Transitions or Audio Transitions bin.

Select the transition that you want to make the default.

Select the Menu button from the Effects panel, or right-click the transition.

Select Set Selected as Default Transition.

The Effects panel is open, and the 'Set Selected as Default Transition' option is highlighted to apply the default transition.

Set the duration of the default transition

Select Edit > Preferences > Timeline (Windows), or Premiere Pro > Settings > Timeline (macOS).

Alternatively, you can select the Effects panel menu button and select Set Default Transition Duration.

Change the value for the Video Transition Default Duration or Audio Transition Default Duration, and then select OK.

Apply default transitions between selected clips

You can apply the default video and audio transitions to any selection of two or more clips. The default transitions are applied to every edit point where two selected clips touch. The placement does not depend upon the position of the current-time indicator or on whether the clips lie on targeted tracks. The default transitions are not applied where a selected clip touches a non-selected clip or no clip at all.

In the Timeline panel, select two or more clips. Shift-click clips, or draw a marquee over them, to select them.

Select Sequence > Apply Default Transitions to Selection.

Tip:

If you want to apply the default transition to most or all the clips in a sequence, use the Automate to Sequence command. This command places the default video and audio transition between all the clips it adds.

Transitions overview

Apply single-sided transitions

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